Covid-19 Childcare Funding

Childcare funding is available for key essential workers during the Coronavirus pandemic for children aged 0 – 4 years, and vulnerable children.

Eligibility for Coronavirus Childcare Assistance Scheme:

Parents who are employed as specific key workers

Where one parent is a key worker but the other parent is not then the other parent should provide safe alternative arrangements at home where possible.

There are no upper, or lower, earnings thresholds for pre-school childcare assistance for critical workers. The only criteria is that they can prove that they are currently employed in an area that has been deemed to be critical to the response to COVID-19 by the local authority where they reside. Consequently funding is available to full-time and part-time employees and those on ‘zero hour’ contracts.

Vulnerable children include those with safeguarding needs and supported by social care, which include children with care and support or support plans, children on the child protection register and looked after children, young carers, disabled children, those with Statements of special educational needs. The most vulnerable of these should be prioritised.

For information on childcare settings currently open, please contact the Family Information Service 01633 647400 / 648114 or 648115, Monday – Friday between 8.30am – 4.30pm.

Government advice is clear and we should all adhere to the following key principles:

If it is at all possible for children to be at home, then they should be

If a child needs specialist support, is deemed vulnerable by TCBC or has a parent who is a critical worker, then a safe secure environment will be available for them

Parents should not rely for childcare from those who are advised to be in the stringent social distancing category such as grandparents, friends, or family members with underlying conditions

Parents should also do everything they can to ensure children are not mixing socially in a way which can continue to spread the virus. They should observe the same social distancing principles as adults

Residential special schools, boarding schools and special settings continue to care for children wherever possible

How many childcare hours can key essential workers claim?

There is no upper, or lower, threshold on the number of hours of childcare that critical workers can access. They should be able to access the number of hours of childcare that they require to cover their working hours. This does not include hours where their spouse, or another family member, is able to care for their children.

Please note that funding can be back dated from 1st April and funding will only cover where additional childcare costs have incurred (above and beyond those claimed through Childcare Offer for Wales, Local Authority Foundation Phase Nursery Education, Flying Start or Assisted Places)

If you have a child that does not receive any of the above funding, you will be able to apply for all your childcare costs through C-CAS during the pandemic.

Do not send your child/ren if they are unwell. Please follow the Covid-19 guidance as advised by Public Health Wales. If anyone in your family have symptoms, please self-isolate for 14 days. If you need to cancel a booking you have made, please telephone the Childcare Provider as soon as possible.

Should you have any queries about your application please email fis@torfaen.gov.uk

The Welsh Government Privacy Notice for information collated for Monitoring Information of Parents, Children and Providers using the Coronavirus Childcare Assistance Scheme can be found here

Information for Childcare Providers

Childcare Providers providing care for children of key workers will need to register for the C-CAS funding by completing this form and returning to EarlyYearsABSHub2@torfaen.gov.uk

The Early Years Childcare Hub at Garnteg Integrated Children’s Centre, based at Garnteg Primary School, Garndiffaith, Pontypool has extended is open for key workers and vulnerable children.

Sessions are available 8:30am – 5pm, Monday to Friday for 2-4 year olds only and for a maximum of 8 children per session. Parents who require a place for Garnteg ICC childcare hub will need to book on a weekly basis. New booking forms must be completed by Tuesdays to book childcare for the following week.